A team of British and French researchers have found that the elimination of diabetes and depression could lead to a reduction in the incidence of dementia.

The reduction of both of these conditions, alongside increased involvement in education at all ages and an increased fruit and vegetable intake, could mean that 40% of people otherwise expected to develop the disease could avoid it (The Guardian, 06.08.10). Efforts on a national level to improve diet, lifestyle and activity levels could have a profound effect on the numbers of people developing dementia in the future.  

The researchers claim that diagnosing diabetes in its early stages, or preventing it all together, were the most important factors affecting the numbers of people developing dementia: “Reduction in the incidence of dementia over the next seven years would be maximised by the elimination of diabetes and possibly also depression” (British Medical Journal).

There are currently 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK. An ageing population and an increase in obesity and its associated health complications such as diabetes, means the number of people with dementia is expected to rise to 1 million by 2015.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of The Alzheimer’s Research Trust, has called for more research into the disease: “We know there are links between depression, diabetes and dementia, so any policy that urges clear diagnosis and monitoring of these conditions could help make an impact on dementia. What is painfully evident from the study is the gaping hole that remains in our understanding and ability to diagnose or treat dementia effectively, a hole that can only be filled by more research.” (Alzheimer’s Research Trust).

More information on Alzheimer’s and Dementia can be found at the Alzheimer's Society.